“When California was wild, it was one sweet bee garden throughout its entire length, north and south, and all the way across from the snowy Sierra to the ocean.” ~John Muir, “The Bee Pastures”

Welcome to the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association, founded in 1873, to foster the interest of bee culture and beekeeping within Los Angeles County. Our primary purpose is the care and welfare of the honeybee. Our group membership is composed of commercial and small scale beekeepers, bee hobbyists, and bee enthusiasts. So whether you came upon our site by design or just 'happened' to find us - we're glad you're here! Our club and this website are dedicated to educating our members and the general public. We support honeybee research, and adhering to best management practices for the keeping of bees.

The Latest Buzz:

Yesterday (Nov. 19) at the California State Beekeepers Association conference, as part of our Next Generation Beekeepers Initiative, I facilitated a panel regarding bridging the gap between "commercial" and "backyard" beekeepers. Now, I'd like to open the floor to you for comment.

This is a three part question. Answer just one part, two, or all three.

1) What are the differences between the two groups, as well as the similarities?

2) What DO we do presently to help each other in a POSITIVE way?

3) What CAN we do in the future to help each other in a POSITIVE way? I'd love to hear specific action items.

2014 CSBA CONVENTION - UPDATES (To Program & Events) We'll post updates on the CSBA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/castatebeekeepers. Attached is the new Convention Program as of 11/17/14. Changes so far: Zac Browning will not be able to attend the convention. Dr. Eric Mussen will share the latest updates on "Bees and Pesticides" on Wed. Nov. 19, at 10:30 am in the Valencia Room. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, for the 4:00 pm Panel: "Bridging the Gap between the beekeeping Industry & the Urban Beekeeper" Roger Everett will replace Zac Browning. On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Exhibits Close at 2 pm.

At the CSBA Convention!!! We are pleased to welcome HoneyLove! Co-Founders Rob and Chelsea McFarland share their expertise in "Fundraising for Bees" at 2PM Tuesday, Nov. 18. Then at 4PM Rob takes part in "Bridging the Gap between the Beekeeping Industry & the Urban Beekeeper" a panel you won't want to miss. Rob and Chelsea are a husband and wife team who started HoneyLove as a nonprofit conservation organization with a mission to protect honeybees and inspire and educate new urban beekeepers. They have convinced more than 20 neighborhood councils to send letters of support to the city to legalize beekeeping in L.A., held dozens of events, trained hundreds of new beekeepers, and facilitated the rescue of hundreds of hives. HoneyLove’s Rob (Beekeeper/Co-founder) and Chelsea (Beekeeper’s Wife/Co-founder) McFarland are a driving force in the legalization of urban beekeeping in L.A. http://honeylove.org/

Online Pre-Registration Cut-Off is November 6. Mail no later than October 30.

"Celebrating 125 Years of California Beekeeping"

When the California State Beekeeper's Association, founded in 1889, meets November 18-20, in Valencia, CA for its 2014 convention, it will mark a milestone: 125 years of beekeeping. Thus the theme of this year's convention: "Celebrating 125 Years of California Beekeeping."

CSBA President, Bill Lewis, has put together a Convention Program that will inform, entertain, and enlighten. Take some time to look it over. You should be able to find presentations addressing your level of beekeeping, from the beginning backyard hobbyist to the largest commercial beekeeper. The hard part will be making decisions as to which sessions to attend.

Learn About Our Excellent Speakers! "We'll hear about things going on in the world of beekeeping on the local, state, and national levels," says Lewis. Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Thomas Seeley, bee behavior expert from Cornell University. He'll share with us the results of his study, "A Survivor Population of European Honey Bees Living in the Wild in New York State."

Bug Squad - Happenings in the Insect World By Kathy Keatley Garvey October 21, 2014

Follow that buzz!

When the California State Beekeepers' Association, founded in 1889, meets Nov. 18-20 in Valencia for its 2014 convention, it will mark a milestone: 125 years of beekeeping. Not so coincidentally, the theme is "Celebrating 125 Years of California Beekeeping."

And to think that California's first honey bees are "fairly new" newcomers: they didn't arrive in the Golden State (San Jose area) until 1853.

The conference promises to be educational, informative, timely and fun. "We will hear about things going on in the world of beekeeping on the local, state, and national levels," said CSBA president Bill Lewis, who lives in the San Fernando Valley and maintains 650 colonies of bees (Bill's Bees) with his wife, Liane, and business partner, Clyde Steese.

Topics range from “Keeping Bees Safe in Almonds" and “Land Trusts Working with Beekeepers," to "Mead Making" and "Urban Beekeeping, Beginner to Advanced."

Among the hot topics: Entomologist Reed Johnson of The Ohio State University will speak on “The Effects of Bee Safe Insecticide" on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Biologist Thomas Seeley of Cornell University will speak on "Survivor Population of European Honey Bees Living Wild in New York State” at the research luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 20. He is also scheduled for two other talks, "Honeybee Democracy" (the title of one of his books) and "The Bee Hive as a Honey Factory," both on Nov. 20. In addition, speakers will address such topics as forage, land management, queen health, genetic diversity, and pests and diseases.

One of the featured presentations will be the richly illustrated documentary, "Almond Odyssey," a look at California's almond pollination season, the world's largest managed pollination event. The state's 900,000 acres of almonds draw beekeepers and their bees from all over the country.

The gathering of beekeepers will include multiple generations of family-owned commercial beekeeping operations, bee hobbyists, and those hoping to start their very first bee hive, Lewis says. They're there to learn the latest about beekeeping from world-renowned researchers and industry authorities.

The University of California, Davis, is expected to be well represented. Amina Harris, director of theHoney and Pollination Center, UC Davis, will speak Wednesday, Nov. 19 on “Honey Wheel” and “California Master Beekeeper." Extension apiculturist (retired) Eric Mussen of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology serves as the organization's current apiculturist and parliamentarian (as well as a frequent speaker). He will introduce the new Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Nino in a Nov. 20th presentation titled "California Extension Apiculturist--Passing the Torch." (For a complete list of sessions and speaker biographies and to register for the conferene, access the CSBA website.)

CSBA's mission is to support and promote commercial beekeepers and pollination services in California's agricultural farmlands. Each year funds raised at the CSBA convention go to research. Researchers attend the conference and provide updates. They are in "the front lines of the bee health battle," Lewis noted.

The conference (as well as membership in CSBA) is open to all interested persons.

The California State Beekeepers Association kicks off its 2014 CSBA Annual Convention on November 18-20, in Valencia, California.

Panel discussions “Keeping Bees Safe in Almonds,” “Land Trusts Working with Beekeepers,” and a session by Dr. Reed Johnson on “The Effects of Bee Safe Insecticides,” are among the hot topics being presented.

CSBA President Bill Lewis says, “We will hear about things going on in the world of beekeeping on the local, state, and national levels.”

Multiple generations of family owned commercial beekeeping operations, bee hobbyists, and those hoping to start their very first bee hive will gather to learn the latest about beekeeping from world renowned researchers and authorities in the industry.

Topics include components that affect the “Honey Factory:” forage, land management, queen health, genetic diversity, and pests and diseases to treat or not. Dr. Thomas Seeley will speak on “A Survivor Population of European Honey Bees Living in the Wild in New York State” at the research luncheon on Wednesday.

“Urban Beekeeping, Beginner to Advanced” as well as “Mead Making,” will be covered. A look at the world’s largest managed pollination event, Almond Odyssey - the photo-documented trek to California’s almond farms is a featured presentation. A complete list of sessions and the bios of industry experts who will be presenting are listed at http://www.californiastatebeekeepers.com/. Registration information is also available at the web site.

Each year funds raised at the CSBA convention go to research. Presentations of the results of these ongoing projects will be made in person by the researchers and scientists on the front lines of the bee health battle.

The exhibit area features a variety of vendors offering products and resources for all beekeepers.

CSBA was formed in 1889 to support and promote commercial beekeepers and pollination services in California’s agricultural farm lands. The health of honey bees is a crucial element in our food chain and great interest is being focused on their survival. Learn more at the 2014 CSBA Annual Convention; it’s open to everyone.